At the start of the fight scene between Killmonger and T'Challa on the waterfall, there's a quick shot of Killmonger breaking his spear to shorten it and make it a more effective as a weapon...and thrusts it to test it out. This, im assuming, was paying homeage to a 1986 miniseries Shaka Zulu. I loved that movie as a child and recently rewatched it on Netflix...

Here's the scene wear Shaka, while training, breaks his spear to improve its efficiency in battle:

At the start of the fight scene between Killmonger and T'Challa on the waterfall, there's a quick shot of Killmonger breaking his spear to shorten it and make it a more effective as a weapon...and thrusts it to test it out. This, im assuming, was paying homeage to a 1986 miniseries Shaka Zulu. I loved that movie as a child and recently rewatched it on Netflix...

Here's the scene wear Shaka, while training, breaks his spear to improve its efficiency in battle:

Finally saw this. I thought it was a underwhelming. Not bad, just not what I was expecting especially after reading the reviews here.

Quote:

I thought Black Panther seemed a little weak in his ritual fights. Especially the one against Killmonger. Which seemed in contrast to his other fights. They didn't really explain much at all about his panther powers. Most of the focus was on his suit. I remember a ton of mystical type stuff that they didn't touch on at all. Seemed off from what I knew of Black Panther in the comics. Klaue had some cool screen time, but died quickly and uneventfully. Wakanda society seemed really odd to me as well. You've got the most advanced tech in the world, with seemingly limitless energy. Yet their society is still dependent on the same tribal ritual system that allows for control of Wakanda to be taken in a one-on-one fight? Killmonger immediately changes their society from isolationism to global domination, and everybody's just like "Welp, guess we'll do that instead.?" Just didn't really seem believable to me.

Finally saw this. I thought it was a underwhelming. Not bad, just not what I was expecting especially after reading the reviews here.

I thought Black Panther seemed a little weak in his ritual fights. Especially the one against Killmonger. Which seemed in contrast to his other fights. They didn't really explain much at all about his panther powers. Most of the focus was on his suit. I remember a ton of mystical type stuff that they didn't touch on at all. Seemed off from what I knew of Black Panther in the comics. Klaue had some cool screen time, but died quickly and uneventfully. Wakanda society seemed really odd to me as well. You've got the most advanced tech in the world, with seemingly limitless energy. Yet their society is still dependent on the same tribal ritual system that allows for control of Wakanda to be taken in a one-on-one fight? Killmonger immediately changes their society from isolationism to global domination, and everybody's just like "Welp, guess we'll do that instead.?" Just didn't really seem believable to me.

I disagree with that interpretation. This was an origin story so I expected him to be a bit weak. I would have liked to see some cool mystical stuff in this one but I don't think it was necessary for the plot. That first fight he was fighting for a tie and his adversary was fighting to the death. That first fight against Killmonger, I expected Killmonger to beat his ass. He's nowhere near as 'hard' as Killmonger was. And he didn't have to accept Killmonger's challenge. I'd say accepting it showed a character flaw; arrogance. And not everyone just went along with the outcome. That particular conflict was one of the pivotal chunks of the movie's plot.

As for his ability (or lack of) in the ritual fights, I think that can pretty easily be explained by him having the black panther power stripped from him just prior to the fight. If you're used to fighting all juiced up, it's got to be difficult to then fight without the juice and would take some time to get accustomed to it.

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

I liked it. Thought it was good to very good, but not in the top tier of Marvel films. Had some good chuckles spread out and good action. I thought Michael B. Jordan was great as Killmonger. It WAS a beautifully shot movie, though.

And I agree with NewChief and listo - T'Challa was just coming into his Black Panther abilities and was still mastering it, as it were. We'll see the badass he can be in Infinity War.

I disagree with that interpretation. This was an origin story so I expected him to be a bit weak. I would have liked to see some cool mystical stuff in this one but I don't think it was necessary for the plot. That first fight he was fighting for a tie and his adversary was fighting to the death. That first fight against Killmonger, I expected Killmonger to beat his ass. He's nowhere near as 'hard' as Killmonger was. And he didn't have to accept Killmonger's challenge. I'd say accepting it showed a character flaw; arrogance. And not everyone just went along with the outcome. That particular conflict was one of the pivotal chunks of the movie's plot.

IMO, it wasn't arrogance but guilt. Thus, he was holding back slightly which is reinforced when he confronted his father concerning T'Chakka killing his brother and leaving Killmonger.

As for his ability (or lack of) in the ritual fights, I think that can pretty easily be explained by him having the black panther power stripped from him just prior to the fight. If you're used to fighting all juiced up, it's got to be difficult to then fight without the juice and would take some time to get accustomed to it.

Yeah, I interpreted it that way too. They made a specific point of having him drink the liquid to remove his black panther powers just before each ritual fight so they would be fair fights. Without his special black panther powers, he's just a normal guy, and Killmonger was bigger and stronger than him in that scenario. His only hope was to be a superior fighter, but Killmonger got the better of him as Killmonger had only ever fought that way (without powers). Of course when they both had black panther powers in the final scene

Spoiler!

T'Challa was more experienced in that kind of fighting and won out in the end.